Easy Gluten-Free & Dairy-Free Halloween Mummy Pretzels: A Top 8 Allergy-Friendly & Vegan Treat

These Gluten & Dairy Free Mummy Pretzels are a fun, easy, and kid-friendly Halloween treat that are as cute as they are delicious. This recipe offers no tricks, as it’s thoughtfully crafted to be free of: gluten, dairy, egg, soy, peanuts, and tree nuts—making them a perfect top-8-free option for many. Plus, they’re entirely vegan!

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Why These Allergy-Friendly Halloween Mummy Pretzels Are a Must-Make

The magic of Halloween is truly brought to life with festive food, and I absolutely adore creating special holiday treats! Halloween, with its playful spooks and delightful surprises, deserves snacks that are just as fun and memorable. These adorable Mummy Pretzels are not only charming but also incredibly versatile, making them a fantastic addition to any celebration. I first introduced these as a delightful after-school snack surprise for my kids, and their excited reactions were priceless.

Beyond a simple snack, these pretzels can transform into a wonderful activity at a kid’s Halloween party. They are a super easy food craft, allowing little hands to participate in making their own spooky creations. Imagine a group of kids giggling as they add googly eyes to their mummy pretzels – it’s an experience that fosters creativity and adds to the holiday spirit. They’re equally suitable for an adult gathering as a fun, themed snack provided by the hostess, adding a touch of whimsy to any spooky spread. Whether for a school event, a lively party, or a quiet family activity at home, these allergy-friendly mummy pretzels are a guaranteed hit that will bring smiles to everyone’s faces, especially those with dietary restrictions.

Understanding Edible Eyeballs: Ingredients and Vegan Options

Edible candy eyeballs are a staple in many of my Halloween recipes, adding that perfect touch of spooky charm. Consequently, I frequently receive questions from fellow allergy-aware parents about their ingredients. It’s absolutely crucial to know what’s in every component of a recipe, especially when catering to various allergies. The widely available Wilton brand edible eyeballs, which I often use, can be found in the cake decorating aisle at Walmart or conveniently purchased online via Amazon. For transparency, here are the common ingredients listed for Wilton’s edible eyeballs:

Dextrose, corn starch, dextrin, sugar, magnesium stearate, gum arabic, artificial flavor, confections’ glaze, carnauba wax, gelatin, FD&C Red #40, FD&C Blue #1, FD&C Yellow #5

Recently, I learned that due to the inclusion of gelatin and confections’ glaze (often derived from shellac, an insect product), these specific eyeballs are not considered strictly vegan. If you or your guests adhere to a strict vegan diet, it’s essential to seek out alternatives. Fortunately, there are dedicated vegan eyeball options available from specialty stores. Alternatively, a simple and creative solution is to use a small amount of edible black gel to draw tiny black dots as eyeballs. This ensures that everyone can enjoy these festive treats, regardless of their dietary choices, proving that even small details can be adapted to be inclusive and safe.

The Long-Awaited Arrival: Dairy-Free & Vegan White Chocolate

For what feels like literal YEARS, I have been eagerly anticipating the arrival of a safe, delicious dairy-free white chocolate. As someone passionate about allergy-friendly baking, I’ve been dreaming of the versatility and deliciousness white chocolate offers for coating and decorating. To finally be able to play with it now, especially for fun holiday recipes like these mummy pretzels, brings me so much joy! Hooray for inclusive sweet treats!

The market for dairy-free options has significantly improved, and here are some fantastic choices for dairy-free white chocolate chips and bars:

Nestle Toll House Allergen Free White Morsels: Last year, Nestle introduced a white chocolate chip specifically designed to be allergen-free. While I confess the flavor isn’t my absolute favorite compared to traditional white chocolate, it certainly “does the trick” in a pinch and is readily available at stores like Walmart. Its accessibility makes it a convenient option for many. You can review the ingredients for these morsels here.
Enjoy Life White Chocolate Mini Chips: A highly respected brand in the allergy-friendly community, Enjoy Life also recently launched their own white chocolate chips. While I haven’t had the chance to taste them personally yet, Enjoy Life is known for its commitment to free-from products, so they are definitely worth exploring if you find them.
Pascha Organic White Baking Chips: Pascha offers a high-quality organic white chocolate that is often praised for its excellent taste and clean ingredients. The only potential drawback is that it can be a bit more expensive, which might be a consideration for larger batches or budget-conscious bakers.
No Whey White Chocolate Bars: No Whey is another brand dedicated to allergen-free chocolates, and they produce white chocolate bars that melt beautifully. The challenge for me has been their availability in local stores, but they are a fantastic option if you can source them, especially for their smooth melting consistency.
Walmart Great Value Organic White Baking Chips: I was absolutely thrilled to discover Walmart’s own organic white baking chips under their Great Value brand. This is an unsolicited recommendation, but I am genuinely impressed by their simple ingredients and the clear declaration on the front label: “free from the 8 major food allergens and artificial colors & flavors.” More importantly, I find their taste to be much more authentic and satisfying than some other alternatives. For those who meticulously check ingredient lists, here’s what you’ll find on their label:
- Organic cane sugar, organic palm kernel oil, organic sunflower lecithin, organic vanilla extract

As you can clearly see, with these excellent options available, crafting this delightful Halloween treat is not only dairy-free but also perfectly vegan, ensuring everyone can indulge safely and joyfully!

Of course, if you are not navigating any specific dietary restrictions, you have the freedom to use any brand of white chocolate you prefer. The most important thing is to enjoy the process and the delicious outcome.

Ensuring These Mummy Pretzels are Perfectly Gluten-Free

For those who don’t contend with a gluten allergy or intolerance, feel free to choose any brand of mini pretzels you love! The world of pretzels is vast and delicious. However, in our family, navigating food allergies and intolerances is a daily reality. My son has a wheat allergy, and my husband is gluten intolerant, which means finding reliably gluten-free options is essential for us. Over the years, we’ve tried many brands, and our undisputed favorite gluten-free pretzel is from Snyder’s of Hanover. This is another unsponsored recommendation that comes purely from years of enjoying their consistent quality and taste. They’ve been a pantry staple in our home for a long time. For those meticulous about ingredients, here’s what’s listed on their packaging:

Corn starch, potato starch, tapioca starch, palm oil, cellulose gum, salt, dextrose, baking powder (sodium bicarbonate, corn starch monocalcium phosphate), sunflower lecithin, yeast, citric acid

The good news is that the market for gluten-free pretzels has expanded tremendously, offering a variety of choices to suit different preferences and dietary needs. Brands like Glutino, Quinn’s, and others offer excellent alternatives, each with unique textures and flavors. When selecting your pretzels, consider what works best for your taste preference and specific dietary requirements. The key is to ensure they are certified gluten-free if you have celiac disease or a severe wheat allergy, and always double-check labels as formulations can change. With so many great options available, you can easily find the perfect base for your adorable mummy pretzels.

Explore More Gluten-Free & Dairy-Free Halloween Treats!

Do I have more allergy-friendly Halloween treats? Absolutely! Creating spooky, safe, and delicious treats for my food-allergic children is one of my greatest joys during the Halloween season. The sheer delight and impression it leaves on their faces truly makes Halloween a little bit more magical and inclusive for them. For instance, they still fondly recall the Halloween cake I made years ago! Making these special efforts truly helps them feel included and celebrated during a holiday often filled with tricky food situations.

Beyond these delightful mummy pretzels, be sure to explore these other fantastic allergy-friendly Halloween treats from my collection. Each recipe is designed with care to be free from common allergens, ensuring everyone can enjoy the festivities without worry:

Allergy Friendly Halloween Cake: A show-stopping centerpiece that’s safe for many.
Venus Fly Trap Cupcakes: Adorably creepy cupcakes that are surprisingly simple to make.
Egg Free Ghost Meringues: Light, airy, and hauntingly good, these prove you don’t need eggs for perfect meringues.
Chocolate Sugar Cookie Bats: Classic spooky shapes with a rich chocolate flavor, safe for many diets.
Monster Eye Balls (Totally Store Bought!): A genius shortcut for quick, impressive, and safe treats.
Top 8 Free Halloween Candy + Trick Or Treating Tips: Essential guide for a safe and successful trick-or-treating experience.
Frankenstein Krispies: A fun twist on a beloved classic, perfect for little monsters.
Spider Sugar Cookies Bars: Delicious and visually striking, these bars are a top-8-free delight.

From ghostly meringues to Frankenstein Krispies, there’s a whole world of safe and spectacular treats waiting to make your Halloween celebrations truly awesome and inclusive for everyone.

Gluten & Dairy Free Halloween Mummy Pretzels

Yield:
24 pretzels

Prep Time:
5 minutes

Cook Time:
10 minutes

Additional Time:
30 minutes

Total Time:
45 minutes

These Gluten & Dairy Free Mummy Pretzels are a fun, easy, and kid-friendly Halloween treat that are as cute as they are delicious. This treat has no tricks as it’s free of: gluten, dairy, egg, soy, peanuts, and tree nuts–which makes them top-8-free too. They’re also vegan!

Ingredients

Mini gluten free pretzels (see post for specific recommendations)
1 and 1/4 cup dairy free white chocolate chips, divided (see post for brand options)
1 Tablespoon coconut oil or safe shortening

SUPPLIES:

Edible Candy Eye Balls (check post for vegan alternatives)
Plastic baggie
Parchment paper

Instructions

Line a baking tray with parchment paper, preparing your workstation for easy cleanup and setting.
In a microwave-safe bowl, combine 1 cup of the dairy-free white chocolate chips and the tablespoon of coconut oil (or safe shortening).
Microwave the mixture in 30-second intervals, stirring thoroughly after each interval, until the white chocolate chips are completely melted and smooth.
Carefully dip one mini pretzel at a time into the melted white chocolate. Use a fork to gently scoop it out, allowing any excess chocolate to drip off before placing the wet pretzel onto the parchment paper.
Immediately after dipping, place two edible eyeballs on top of each dipped pretzel. They might slide a bit, so you may need to gently re-stabilize them as you go along.
Continue dipping all the pretzels until your supply is complete.
Allow the dipped pretzels to set for approximately 5-10 minutes. This will help the first layer of white chocolate and the eyeballs to firm up slightly.
Add the remaining 1/4 cup of dairy-free white chocolate chips to the microwaveable bowl. This step is optional but recommended, as the added chocolate makes the mixture slightly thicker, resulting in more pronounced and textured mummy stripes.
Return the bowl to the microwave and melt the additional chips as you did before, using 30-second intervals and stirring until smooth.
Once melted but not excessively hot, transfer the thicker white chocolate mixture into a plastic baggie. Snip a very tiny corner off the bag to create a fine piping tip.
Squeeze random, zigzag lines over the set pretzels to create the iconic mummy “stripes” effect, leaving a small space for the eyeballs to peek through.
Allow the mummy pretzels to set completely, either at room temperature or in the refrigerator, before carefully removing them from the parchment paper. Serve them immediately or store them. They are best enjoyed within one day to maintain optimal freshness and texture.

Notes

For detailed information about specific ingredients and store-bought products, including brand recommendations and allergy considerations, please refer to the comprehensive paragraphs preceding this recipe card.

*Our family manages severe allergies that are regularly re-tested. Our approach allows us to rely strictly on product labels. We do not typically contact companies to inquire about ingredient derivations or potential cross-contact, though we understand many families need to take these extra precautions. If your specific allergies or sensitivities require such diligence, we strongly advise you to conduct your own research. We cannot guarantee the absolute safety of any ingredient for all individuals; only you can make that determination for your family. We simply share what has proven safe and effective for us.

**If you are preparing this recipe for someone with food allergies and you yourself do not have them, we HIGHLY recommend that you ask them to review every single brand and ingredient you plan to use. This ensures they are comfortable with each component of the recipe. Additionally, please discuss with them proper cross-contamination prevention measures in your kitchen to ensure their safety and peace of mind.

This recipe was inspired by and adapted from Bread With a Side of Butter’s Halloween Mummy Pretzels.

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 24
Serving Size: 1

Amount Per Serving:
Calories: 26Total Fat: 2gSaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 1mgSodium: 16mgCarbohydrates: 2gFiber: 0gSugar: 1gProtein: 0g

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